A man who chooses the Jesus script is…
A man who is more inclined to defend the rights of others than his own.
Ambition, drive, and determination can be good qualities when they motivate us to put forth our best effort or pursue a goal. But left unchecked, selfish ambition continually places the focus on me, my rights, or my agenda.
Jesus taught a different way of living that was a complete reversal to the natural path men take. In his Gospel account, Mark documents this conversation between Jesus and two of his disciples, James and John.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
—Mark 10:35–40
The two brothers, James and John, were seeking importance and places of honor in God’s kingdom. But their request revealed how little they knew about his kingdom. They had a picture of the prestige and honor of a pending earthly kingdom. But the one Jesus was making possible would be much different. They failed to see that his path to kingship would be marked with suffering.
Sometime after this conversation, we learn that the other disciples didn’t particularly care for the fact that James and John had made this private request.
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
—Mark 10:41–45
Jesus used the word ransom to describe his purpose. A ransom is a payment made for the release of a hostage. The hostages Jesus came to free were the very ones he was speaking to, as well as everyone in the world, including us. We’re all hostages because sin enslaves us. But Jesus gave his own life to free us. He also provided a picture for us to follow of what real leadership looks like.
The man who follows the Jesus script rejects the false belief that his life is merely about defending his rights and advancing his agenda. He’s more inclined to defend the rights of others rather than his own. He looks for ways to serve those around him. He puts the needs of others first. This choice may result in him getting taken advantage of. It may result in missed opportunities. But the man who embraces Jesus’s kingdom way of living recognizes that his king has ransomed him, saved him, and freed him. Grateful servants choose to do as their king has done—lay down their life for the sake of others.
